Cæsar's ambition shall be glanced at. And, after this, let Cæsar seat him sure; For we will shake him, or worse days endure. [Exit. SCENE III. The same. A Street. Thunder and lightning. Enter, from opposite sides, CASCA, with his sword drawn, and CICERO. Cic. Good even, Casca. Brought you Cæsar home?1 Why are you breathless? and why stare you so? Casca. Are not you moved, when all the sway of earth 2 Shakes, like a thing unfirm? O Cicero, I have seen tempests, when the scolding winds Cic. Why, saw you any thing more wonderful? sight) 3 Held up his left hand, which did flame and burn Besides, (I have not since put up my sword,) 4 Who glared upon me, and went surly by, 1 "Did you attend Cæsar home?' 2 "The whole weight or momentum of this globe." 3 "A slave of the souldiers that did cast a marvellous burning flame out of his hande, insomuch as they that saw it thought he had been burnt; but when the fire was out, it was found that he had no hurt.”—North's Plutarch. 4 The old copies erroneously read :— "Who glazed upon me.” .Malone, determined to oppose himself to Steevens's reading of glared, Without annoying me. And there were drawn Cic. Indeed, it is a strange-disposed time; Casca. He doth; for he did bid Antonius Casca. Farewell, Cicero. [Exit CICERO. Casca, by your voice. Casca. Your ear is good. Cassius, what night is this? Cas. A very pleasing night to honest men. Casca. Who ever knew the heavens menace so? Cas. Those that have known the earth so full of faults. For my part, I have walked about the streets, And, thus unbraced, Casca, as you see, Have bared my bosom to the thunder-stone; 2 reads gazed. Steevens has shown, from the Poet's own works, that his emendation is the true one. 1 Altogether, entirely. 2 What is now called a thunder bolt. And, when the cross bluc lightning seemed to open Casca. But wherefore did you so much tempt the It is the part of men to fear and tremble, Cas. You are dull, Casca; and those sparks of life That should be in a Roman, you do want, Or else you use not. You look pale, and gaze, A man no mightier than thyself, or me, Cassius? Is it not, Cas. Let it be who it is; for Romans now 1 i. e. "why birds and beasts deviate from their condition and nature; why old men, fools, and children calculate;" i. e. foretell or prophesy. At the suggestion of sir William Blackstone this last line has been erroneously pointed in all the late editions :— "Why old men fools, and children calculate.” He observed, that "there was no prodigy in old men's calculating; but who were so likely to listen to prophecies as children, fools, and the superstitious eld?" 2 Portentous. Have thews1 and limbs like to their ancestors: Casca. Indeed, they say, the senators to-morrow Mean to establish Cæsar as a king: And he shall wear his crown by sea and land, Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then; If I know this, know all the world besides, I can shake off at pleasure. Casca. So can I; So every bondman in his own hand bears The power to cancel his captivity. Cas. And why should Cæsar be a tyrant, then? 2 But, O grief! I, perhaps, speak this 1 i. e. sinews, muscular strength. See note on King Henry IV. Part II. Act iii. Sc. 2. 2 "I know I shall be called to account, and must answer for having uttered seditious words." Casca. You speak to Casca; and to such a man, That is no fleering telltale. Hold my hand Be factious for redress of all these griefs; As who goes farthest. Cas. 1 There's a bargain made. Now know you, Casca, I have moved already 2 In favor's like the work we have in hand, Enter CINNA. Casca. Stand close awhile, for here comes one in haste. Cas. 'Tis Cinna; I do know him by his gait; He is a friend.-Cinna, where haste you so? Cin. To find out you. Who's that? Metellus Cimber? Cas. No, it is Casca; one incorporate To our attempts. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Cin. I am glad on't. What a fearful night is this! There's two or three of us have seen strange sights. Cas. Am I not staid for, Cinna? Tell me. Cin. You are. O Cassius, if you could but win The noble Brutus to our party Yes, Cas. Be you content. Good Cinna, take this paper, And look you lay it in the prætor's chair, Where Brutus may but find it; and throw this 1 "Hold my hand" is the same as "Here's my hand." for redress," means, be contentious, enterprising for redress. “Be factious 2 The old copy reads, "Is favors." Favor here is put for appearance, look. |